Question of the Week

Question of the Week 9-9-08

What makes one type of knitting needle different from the other and why are there so many sizes?

This is a two part question that we will be answering in the next two weeks. This week we will discuss the different types of needles and what’s best to use with what fiber.

Knitting needles are made from many different kinds of wood, metal, plastic, glass and even resin. Using the right tool can make your knitting experience even better. Many people started knitting using aluminum or plastic knitting needles and graduated to bamboo and nickel plated brass. Aluminum needles are fine and usually inexpensive but can easily be bent and can have tips that erode over time. Plastic needles are also inexpensive but can have seems that are rough on the hands where the plastic was molded into shape.

Many knitters prefer to knit with wooden needles because they warm up in your hands as you knit. Many knitters choose to only knit with wood needles and wood needles are especially good to use if you are knitting with slippery fibers such as bamboo, silk, or chenille. We carry Addi Natura Bamboo circular needles, Brittany Birch straight needles, the aptly named Darn Pretty needles which are made from Vermont Hardwood and Destiny Circular needles beautifully made from Rosewood.

Some knitters prefer to knit with metal needles such as the Addi Turbo which is a brass plated nickel, and the new to Cultured Purls Hiya Hiya steel needles. Knitters like these metal needles because they are faster to knit with than bamboo or wood due to their slick surface. When you are knitting with 100% wool or a tweed yarn, sometimes the yarn fibers can sick together and metal needles help the knitting to move smoothly. If you like knitting with metal needles you should come in a check out the Hiya Hiya needles because they have a great price point and even come in 9” lengths in a US 0-3 for sock knitting.

Next week’s Question of the Week will highlight why different needle lengths are important for different projects.